With this 2004 release, Sufjan Stevens creates music that does far more than entertain. It reaches people in a spiritual way that few albums ever accomplish. Immediately after the first couple seconds, it establishes a safe environment where the mind can wander freely and creatively. Recently, I was feeling a void in my life and I had no idea how or what would make me feel happy again. Listening to this album gave my mind a blank slate and encouraged me to explore the real problems that were making me feel empty, eventually guiding me to the solution. After finding the solution (which turned out to be helping and teaching others; I recently had been so immersed in my own work I had forgotten about others) I acted upon it and have returned to my normal, happy self. Although this album is great to listen to from a musical perspective, it is best used as a tool to help answer deep and personal questions. I would highly, highly recommend it to any music lover looking to find solutions for their unanswered questions to ultimately become a better person.